Glass

Glass Recycling 101: Clean, Remove Lids, No Trash

  • Rinse your jars and bottles.
    • A quick rinse removes food, sauces, or residue that can contaminate the recycling stream or attract pests.
  • Remove all lids—metal, plastic, or cork—and place them in the trash.
  • Sort glass into the appropriate bins: clear in one, green/brown in the other.
    • Note: Wine bottles are not considered clear glass. Many are made from light green or flint glass, which may appear clear but contain trace minerals (like iron or chromium) that give them a subtle tint.

Do NOT include the following items:

  • Window glass or mirrors
  • Drinking glasses or Pyrex
  • Ceramics, plates, or porcelain
  • Lightbulbs (fluorescent bulbs require special disposal!)

Glass Recycling Facts

Adapted from “10 Fascinating Facts About Glass Recycling” by wsrecycling.co.uk:

  • Glass can be recycled endlessly without losing quality or purity.
  • Recycling reduces carbon footprint, raw material use, and emissions—benefiting both businesses and the environment.
  • Each ton of recycled glass saves more than a ton of natural resources.
  • Glass doesn’t decompose, so it places a long-term burden on landfills unless recycled.
  • A recycled glass container can go from bin to supermarket shelf in as little as 30 days.
    Recycling glass saves raw materials and energy, and keeps bulky, non-burnable waste out of the incinerator and landfills.

What Happens to Glass in Eastham

When you drop glass bottles and jars into the designated container at the Eastham Transfer Station, they’re headed for a second life. The glass is transported off Cape to a meeting point near Plymouth, where it’s picked up by another hauler and delivered to Strategic Materials, one of the largest glass recyclers in the country.

Eastham doesn’t pay a tipping fee for this service—only the cost of fuel and labor to reach the meeting point—so recycling glass this way helps keep our municipal waste costs down.

How Much Glass Does Eastham Recycle

Thanks in part to Massachusetts’ bottle deposit law, the state maintains a relatively high glass recycling rate—about 66%. Locally, Eastham residents are doing their part:

  • 2023: 181.29 tons of glass recycled
  • 2024: 152.47 tons recycled (so far)

Every jar and bottle you place in the glass recycling bin helps conserve resources and lower disposal costs for the entire community.

Redeemables

Place redeemable containers in the bin at the far end of the recycling area — proceeds benefit Eastham Elementary School. Eligible items include:

  • Carbonated soft drinks
  • Sparkling water
  • Beer
  • Malt beverages
  • But NOT champagne!

More information

Check out these resources for more information.